Main Stage: Australian born driver Andy McCarthy is looking for his biggest success this weekend at The Meadowlands
Plenty is at stake heading into the $5.4 million Breeders Crown Finals to be staged at the famed Meadowlands racetrack, New Jersey.
Bragging rights, divisional honours and stud futures are all up for grabs among many other headlines and sub-plots this weekend.
But for Australian reinsman Andrew McCarthy, it’s much more than that.
Success this weekend will quite easily change his life; elevating him to a higher level where he will compete consistently against the world’s best drivers and provide a perfect platform to a bigger stage where bigger money is up for grabs daily.
McCarthy is looking at taking his shot next year at the Meadowlands on a more permanent basis, switching from Pocono Downs in Pennsylvania, which has been his home base for the past couple of seasons.
Success at Pocono in the past two seasons has given him the taste of the big time and now the 28 year-old believes the time is right to test his mantle with the elite reinsmen at the Big M.
With over 100 winners in the past two seasons at Pocono and strong purse earnings, McCarthy sits comfortably in the top five, and it’s a strong colony of talent with the likes of George Napolitano Jnr, Simon Allard, Matt Kakaley, Anthony Napolitano and Tyler Buter to name just a few.
This season, McCarthy has combined with trotting maestro Jonas Czernyson and the partnership has evolved quickly.
Mistery Woman is the horse that has catapulted both McCarthy and Czernyson into the feature race winner’s enclosure this term including her world record performance in the $89,000 Allerage Farms Open Mares at Lexington’s Red Mile racetrack back in early October.
The time of 1;51 is world record for a four-year-old mare which eclipsed the previous mark of 1;51.1 which was previously held by Bee A Magician and Classic Martine.
Well-known Australian harness racing identity Michael Taranto has been a driving force in McCarthy securing the drive behind the daughter of Donato Hanover.
Taranto, through his company Aldebaran Park Inc., shares ownership of Mistery Woman with Millstream Stable.
This weekend, Mistery Woman will aim up in the $250,000 Breeders Crown Open Mares Trot Final and McCarthy can’t wait.
“This is a great opportunity; these are the races you want to be competing in and I’m really looking forward to the challenge. She’s a sweetheart this mare and has performed with great creditability all season long, I’m hoping for another big mile from her.” McCarthy said.
Despite being the fastest mare in the rich final, Mistery Woman has been slammed with a poor draw and will start from post position eight.
Key rivals Classic Martine (2), Bee A Magician (3), Handover Belle (4) and Charmed Life (6) all have drawn better.
“My mare had a lot of trot finishing the mile last week but with the outside gate, we’re going to need them to mix it up a bit early. Hopefully some of the other mares take care of one another and set up a fast time.
“I’m going into the race confident but also knowing we’re going to need an ounce of luck.”
Mistery Woman has won 4 of her 11 starts this season while banking close to $100,000.
In the $500,000 Breeders Crown 3yo Fillies Trot Final, McCarthy has secured the drive on the Czernyson trained Vanity Matters.
The Explosive Matter filly starts from post position seven while outstanding fillies Shake It Cerry (3) and Lifetime Pursuit (2) have drawn ideally.
“It’s great to land the drive on this filly in this race; I haven’t driven this filly since early last year but I’m one for one so let’s hope I can do some good with her.
“Shake It Cerry looks hard to beat, she should control this race from her good draw and her form this year is awesome but you never know your luck, we’ll give it a good shot.”
McCarthy is no stranger to world class trotters, the New South Wales born horseman had the pleasure of sitting behind one of the all-time greats a few season ago – the incomparable MUSCLE HILL.
On a weekend where stars will shine, McCarthy will continue to drive with his normal poise and skill which has the caught the eye of many key figures during his time in North America over the past couple of years.
Hoofnote: Australian harness racing fans can watch the US Breeders Crown races live this Saturday and Sunday morning (AEST) direct from The Meadowlands on www.harness.org.au.
The website homepage has a dedicated button which will open the streaming, as well as links to the TrackMaster Formguide and Darin Zoccali's comments and selections.
